Intelligent Warning Systems Lead to Safer ‘Dilemma Zone’ Decisions
“Intelligent systems could improve driver safety by potentially reducing crashes at signalized intersections,” said Leo Gugerty, a coauthor of “Effects of Intelligent Advanced Warnings on Drivers Negotiating the Dilemma Zone” and professor of psychology at Clemson University. “Statistics from the Federal Highway Administration show that signalized intersections are dangerous places, and our study provides some evidence that intelligent dilemma zone warnings help drivers behave more safely when approaching them.”
Researchers Leo Gugerty, Scott McIntyre, Drew Link, Karl Zimmerman, Devendra Tolani, Peter Huang, and Robert Pokorny designed two driving simulator studies to compare the effectiveness of six types of roadway or in-vehicle warning systems. Participants were asked to navigate through dilemma zone traffic lights while their driving responses were measured based on the presence or absence of warning signals.
“Sometimes drivers respond to safety measures in ways that undo safety benefits, such as driving faster when using antilock brakes,” said Gugerty. “However, the drivers in our simulator studies responded to the dilemma zone warning signals by driving more safely.”
Results indicated that both roadway and in-vehicle warnings led to more stopping and milder decelerations at dilemma zone intersections. When given advanced warning, the participants rarely exhibited unsafe driving behavior, such as accelerating to beat the light. In time, implementation of such systems could lead to fewer traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
Source: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
- California Chiropractor Sentenced to 54 Years for $150M Workers’ Comp Scheme
- Florida’s Home Insurance Industry May Be Worse Than Anyone Realizes
- Work Safety Group Releases List of ‘Dirty Dozen’ Employers
- California Sees Two More Property Insurers Withdraw From Market
- Millions of Recalled Hyundai and Kia Vehicles, With Dangerous Defect, Remain on Road
- Property Restoration Industry: A Culture in Need of Repair?
- Mother of 8-Year-Old ‘Violently Sucked’ into Houston Hotel Pool Files Wrongful Death Suit
- Report: Vehicle Complexity, Labor ‘Reshaping’ Auto Insurance and Collision Repair